Category: Government

WHITE HOUSE HOLIDAY Mary Donelson Wilcox: 2019 Christmas Special

Late in life, Mary Donelson Wilcox recalled a magical childhood Christmas she spent at the White House with her elderly uncle, President Andrew Jackson. Her captivating memoirs paint a picture of a surprisingly global White House, with servants from around the world, and a surprisingly warm and playful President Jackson. Mary offers us a rare glimpse at Christmas in the early 19th century–when stockings, Santa Claus, and focusing the holiday on children were all delightfully …

19th century / Christmas Specials / Government / North America / Politics / Special Episodes / United States

THE ACCIDENTAL ACTIVIST Sybil Stockdale

In 1965, Sybil Stockdale was a mild-mannered Navy wife in Southern California. But after her husband’s plane was shot down over Vietnam, she would become one of the most important and effective activists in American history. Her organization, The National League of Families, fought for nearly a decade to bring home nearly one thousand POWs who were being held by North Vietnam in conditions of extreme deprivation and torture. Throwing out their military handbooks’ useless …

20th century / 21st century / Government / North America / United States / War

THE PHARAOH Tawosret

1

Her story might be one of ambition and regicide, or one of a woman manipulated by an evil puppetmaster – or it might be both! Travel with us back in time 3000 years, where our guest, renowned Egyptologist Kara Cooney, introduces us to that most enigmatic (and overlooked) New Kingdom pharaoh, Tawosret. A complete transcript of this episode is available here. Dr. Kathlyn (Kara) Cooney is a professor of Egyptian Art and Architecture at UCLA. …

Africa / Ancient / Egypt / Government / Politics / Transcripts

THE EMPEROR Wu Zhao (Wu Zetian)

Over 2000 years of history, China had exactly one female emperor. Wu Zhao (also known as Wu Zetian) rose from fifth-ranked concubine (a glorified maid) to supreme ruler, effectively governing China for over fifty years. Her reign was one of the most peaceful and productive periods of the Tang Dynasty – so why does history remember her as a bloodthirsty, sexually depraved tyrant? Olivia interviews Professor of Chinese History and Wu Zhao biographer, N. Harry …

7th century / China / First woman to... / Government / Politics / Transcripts

THE ADMIRAL Bouboulina

The first flag of the Greek Revolution was raised by Laskarina Bouboulina on the mast of her ship, The Agamemnon, in 1821. Commanding a fleet of ships from her island of Spetses, she blockaded the greatest strongholds of the Ottoman Empire in the name of liberty. She personally led her troops into battle, wielding a sword and ferocious will. Bouboulina’s story is legendary in Greece, on par with George Washington’s in America. Our guest is …

18th century / Europe / First woman to... / Government / Greece / Military / Politics / Transcripts / War

THE WARRIOR Zenobia

In 3rd century Palmyra (modern-day Syria), the bold and brilliant queen Zenobia defied the Roman Empire and launched a wildly successful campaign of expansion, eventually ruling Arabia, Egypt, and parts of Asia Minor. But at her final defeat in 272, her story fragments into several curious and contradictory versions of “the end.” With guest Pamela Toler, author of the new book Women Warriors, we take on this history “Choose Your Own Adventure” style–examining the sources …

3rd century / Ancient / Government / Italy / Military / Politics / Syria

THE EMPRESS Nur Jahan

Nur Jahan was the only Empress in the history of the Mughal Empire. Reigning as an equal with her husband Jahangir, she was the only woman to issue executive orders, mint coins, or lead an army — and her tiger-hunting skills were legendary. Though she was one of the most influential leaders in 17th century Asia, for centuries her legacy has been reduced to a love story that ends where her real adventure began–at her …

16th century / 17th century / Asia / First woman to... / Government / India / Politics

THE FAIR LABOR LAWYER Bessie Margolin

Bessie Margolin grew up in the New Orleans Jewish Orphan’s Home, was one of the first women to graduate from Tulane Law School and earned her PhD in Law from Yale University in 1932. Her groundbreaking work as Assistant Solicitor of Labor for the New Deal’s Fair Labor Standards Act championed many of the wage and hour rights Americans take for granted today and enshrined in law the basic human dignity of American workers. She …

20th century / 21st century / Government / North America / United States